NationStates Jolt Archive

do you think the united states should decide on a national language?

if a student going to a public school didnt want to learn english, could the student be taught in his chosen language?

i think adopting a language would help solve some problems and would also help keep the united states closer together as the years go by. its only a matter of time before the east coast is speaking English and the west coast is speaking Spanish. and LA is speaking ebonics.

If it does, it needs to adopt Spanish and English at the least.

Or, you know, it could try not fixing something that isn't broken.

You've done quite well so far without one, so why adopt one now?

if a student going to a public school didnt want to learn english, could the student be taught in his chosen language?

Just a note on this point...in Canada, we have two official languages which are protected equally by our Charter. But even still, education in one or other of the languages is only guaranteed where sufficient numbers warrant (http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/charter/index.html#instruction). One student requesting education in English, in a majority French setting, is not going to get it, and visa versa. I can't imagine that being different in the US, even if you adopt more than one language.

To truly be a "melting pot", newcomers should indeed learn English, and natives should learn one other language to the point of functional fluency. I'm not talking reading Cervantes in Spanish, but enough to be able to have a mundane conversation or help out someone in another common language. French, Russian, Chinese/Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog or Spanish (as a sample constituent list). Perhaps the language constitutents could be altered every ten years to reflect shifts in immigration patterns.

It had better be Esperanto, if we do.

No; the government should be required to provide all of its goods and services in Spanish or English and in other languages upon request on an individual basis.

In other cases, it should be left up to the private sector and private citizens to decide whether to provide their goods and services in multiple languages or not; if it is economically advatageous to do so, they will and if it isn't they won't. However, any products/services that recieve government subsidies should be required to provide multilingual support on those products if not necessarily those uncovered by the law.

Pretty much let the current system stand but allow the private sector and individuals to make their own decisions in most cases and only force them to provide it on products that are directly receiving government money or contracts.

If it does, it needs to adopt Spanish and English at the least.

Or, you know, it could try not fixing something that isn't broken.

Spanglish!

I can honestly say that until today I felt that an official language for the US would be stupid and unnecessary. It was an intellectual reaction to a theoretical, possible, problem.

Today I have had an emotional reaction to having the national anthem co-opted by a group of people who aren't even citizens of my country. Today I say, yes.

Let's make it official. If people want the National Anthem in Spanish, let's make English and Spanish our official languages and get a translation of the song that doesn't involve paying money to a group of people who aren't even citizens, don't pay taxes and won't bother integrating.

This latest development aught to give some fire to the movement toward adopting an official language (or two).

Today I have had an emotional reaction to having the national anthem co-opted by a group of people who aren't even citizens of my country.

And just why does something like this matter? Is it so bad that "illegal" immigrants have recorded "The Star Spangled Banner" in their own language?

Seriously, the absolute closed-mindedness of a lot of you people is really pissing me off right now.

Having two languages creates unneccesary divisions. I think all students should learn in English, while some effort is made to teach Spanish to native English speakers. By the way, a lot of countries with many languages (India, parts of Africa, etc.) have (an) official language(s), probably so as to unify the country and increase efficiency in communication and business. I can see no benefits in having a multilingual nation.

I can see no benefits in having a multilingual nation.

Well, that's a given, as you're not even considering the cultural value of multiple languages.

Yeah, and it should be BULLSHIT!

...




Come on, that was funneh!

We already have an official language: we speak American like all civilized people. One day everyone in the world will speak American, when our great President finally conquers all the heathen terrorist nations in the name of Jesus. All we must do is educate their native peoples to speak American, and teach them that oil is worthless so they should give it to us. This is the God-given gift we call "freedom."

Well, that's a given, as you're not even considering the cultural value of multiple languages.

Spanish has no cultural value in the United States, because English is the language of our culture and history. My argument is based on the "melting pot" idea, i.e. assimilation, whereby immigrants make a conscious effort to identify/integrate with the nation that they move to. This maintains diversity (the new nation's culture is not overwhelmed) and is respectful of the culture and history of the country that allows them to enter.

If it does, it needs to adopt Spanish and English at the least.

Or, you know, it could try not fixing something that isn't broken.
I have to agree with Fass. If we do adopt an official language, we have to adopt both English and Spanish. But it really isn't necessary.

Spanish has no cultural value in the United States, because English is the language of our culture and history. And the portions of what is now the USA that were once part of Mexico? They don't count? Their non-English culture and history were washed away? And the culture and history of the people that originally inhabited the lands now called the USA? Their cultures and histories are lesser?

Yes. Elvish. Or Klingon. I don't really care, as long as it's something new and interesting. And don't make the official language affect anything; do it as a joke to make fun of the people who want linguistic conformity.

And the portions of what is now the USA that were once part of Mexico? They don't count? Their non-English culture and history were washed away? And the culture and history of the people that originally inhabited the lands now called the USA? Their cultures and histories are lesser?

Granted, these are serious historical issues that should be discussed, but they do not bear upon the situation as it stands now.

To truly be a "melting pot", newcomers should indeed learn English, and natives should learn one other language to the point of functional fluency. I'm not talking reading Cervantes in Spanish, but enough to be able to have a mundane conversation or help out someone in another common language. French, Russian, Chinese/Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog or Spanish (as a sample constituent list). Perhaps the language constitutents could be altered every ten years to reflect shifts in immigration patterns.

Agreed.

In my honest opinion, I believe it is a immigrants "duty" to learn English in one way or another. Language is an important symbol of national identity, it's a a unifier in society. I can't understand how one can function in society in America without knowing English, and relying on others such as interpreters. One should take the time and effort to learn English in the U.S. to show you're willing to adopt your new country's culture and to function properly in society.

The same goes with any other country. If you plan to live in France, Russia, Vietnam, etc, learn to speak their language because of the same reasons as above.

Having two languages creates unneccesary divisions. I think all students should learn in English, while some effort is made to teach Spanish to native English speakers. By the way, a lot of countries with many languages (India, parts of Africa, etc.) have (an) official language(s), probably so as to unify the country and increase efficiency in communication and business. I can see no benefits in having a multilingual nation.

Because when I think of unified, harmonious nations with efficient communication and strong business sectors, I think of India and the countries of Africa.

Granted, these are serious historical issues that should be discussed, but they do not bear upon the situation as it stands now.
But what would you do without Spanish? What would you use instead of rodeo, ranch, mustang, tomato, adobe, alligator, avocado, pueblo, texas, florida, montana, colorado, arizona, alamo, armadillo, canyon, chile, cocoa, chocolate, condor, corral, crusade, embargo, guacamole, guitar, potato, renegade, suave, sierra, stampede, savanna, tobacco, tornado, vanilla, and many others?

It'd be kind of tough, wouldn't it? The entire cowboy culture, gone. Texas chili, gone. States' names, gone.

Oh joy...this debate. English is the official language of the US. Our government uses English. Our money is printed in English. Our founding documents are in English. What more prroof do you need?

Spanish should not be made official. Spanish-speaking people should learn English like the rest of immigrants do. My ancestors came here and tried hard to learn English, Mexicans can too.

Because when think of unified, harmonious nations with efficient communication and strong business sectors, I think of India and Africa.
Africa is a NATION???

Africa is a NATION???

... pedant.:p

Oh joy...this debate. English is the official language of the US. Our government uses English. Our money is printed in English. Our founding documents are in English. What more prroof do you need?

Spanish should not be made official. Spanish-speaking people should learn English like the rest of immigrants do. My ancestors came here and tried hard to learn English, Mexicans can too.
No, it's been pointed out by many people from the US that English is not in fact the official language...that the US does not HAVE an official language. Keruvalia provided a number of links to an amendment that never gets passed to have English become the official language...

... pedant.:p
I just never see that mistake made with any other continent...

I just never see that mistake made with any other continent...

America?

I have to agree with Fass.

Of course you do. I'm right, after all.

No, it's been pointed out by many people from the US that English is not in fact the official language...that the US does not HAVE an official language. Keruvalia provided a number of links to an amendment that never gets passed to have English become the official language...

Yeah-we wouldnt want to do that. There would be protestors out in the streets.

This Monday is gonna be real fun in the US.

I just never see that mistake made with any other continent...

I've never actually seen that mistake made before at all, never mind the idea that people are biased to make such a mistake when Africa is involved. I assumed people would get the idea, rather than assuming that I meant Africa as one nation.

I've never actually seen that mistake made before at all, never mind the idea that people are biased to make such a mistake when Africa is involved. I assumed people would get the idea, rather than assuming that I meant Africa as one nation.
I wish I could find the quote...a prominant politicians once said something along the lines of 'Africa, one nation, so many cultures':)

This Monday is gonna be real fun in the US.
What's going on there on Monday?

Let's adopt Newspeak as our official language.

What's going on there on Monday?

Rallies, strikes, walk-outs, etc. for immigration reform.

What's going on there on Monday?
The parties elect the candidates that are going to run for Congress this year. Not that interesting if you ask me.

Edit: Oh yeah, May 1. The primaries already happened. Not interesting at all.

I wish I could find the quote...a prominant politicians once said something along the lines of 'Africa, one nation, so many cultures':)

I consulted the Oracle at Google and find nothing. A priceless quote though.:)

Spanish has no cultural value in the United States, because English is the language of our culture and history. My argument is based on the "melting pot" idea, i.e. assimilation, whereby immigrants make a conscious effort to identify/integrate with the nation that they move to. This maintains diversity (the new nation's culture is not overwhelmed) and is respectful of the culture and history of the country that allows them to enter.
Have you ever heard of California or Texas? Perhaps wondered why so many cities have Spanishy namez? Or you might have noticed something fishy in the naming of 'New Mexico'. Something there seemz to hint to some sort of Hispanic connection. Oh YEAHHH it was taken from the Spaniardz through meanz of forceful brutality! NOW I remember! Wait, weren't the Spaniardz SPANISH?
I am on such a total run today. Maybe it's 'cause I'm Colombian, but I prefer ta think it's 'cause I'm smart.

its not just immigrants who dont speak english as a first language

there are millions of people who have lived here their whole lives whose ancestors were living in what would become the united states before there was a united states or before where they are living now was part of the united states.

it would include

spanish

french

hawaiian

navajo

souix

apache

do i have to go on with the native american languages?

What's going on there on Monday?


theres a concerted effort to not go to work or school on Moday, taking part & supporting massive rallies and demonstrations by numerous groups.
They are supposed to refrain from doing any type of commerce too-no shopping,etc... I hope it remains peaceful and I'm glad I dont need to go into any cities that day.

I have one word for you: binary. 010010001010010100101111111100011101010010100100101001001000010100. Simplest languge to learn ever.

theres a concerted effort to not go to work or school on Moday, taking part & supporting massive rallies and demonstrations by numerous groups.
They are supposed to refrain from doing any type of commerce too-no shopping,etc... I hope it remains peaceful and I'm glad I dont need to go into any cities that day.
Sorry...but this doesn't normally happen on May 1st in the US?

its not just immigrants who dont speak english as a first language

there are millions of people who have lived here their whole lives whose ancestors were living in what would become the united states before there was a united states or before where they are living now was part of the united states.

it would include

spanish

french

hawaiian

navajo

souix

apache

do i have to go on with the native american languages?
You make a really good point. I'd take certain parts of Africa as case examplez of good language skillz. There are literally over 2,000 existing languagez there, and there were many more in the past. People learn what they pick up around the marketplace while looking for goodz. Sure, it might not be the best example for some thingz, but language diversity is something that America needz to adopt, as well as a global understanding of culturez. Americanz are thick with the belief that once you step over the Canadian border you're immersed in feet of thick snow and forced to take a dog-sled to a warm igloo and a foot over the Mexican border causez you to instantly be mugged, contract a disease, and wear a beige sombrero. I speak from experience in saying that the majority of other countriez have much more rational understandingz of foreign countriez.

No, it's been pointed out by many people from the US that English is not in fact the official language...that the US does not HAVE an official language. Keruvalia provided a number of links to an amendment that never gets passed to have English become the official language...
I consider the language a gov't does business in as the official language of the country and that's how some almanac defined it.

What's with all the 'z's in place of the 's's?

I consider the language a gov't does business in as the official language of the country and that's how some almanac defined it.
Well, that's not really a great definition. Undeclared officiality isn't really all that...official.

How about - AMERICAN! Or maybe Swahili?

theres a concerted effort to not go to work or school on Moday, taking part & supporting massive rallies and demonstrations by numerous groups.
They are supposed to refrain from doing any type of commerce too-no shopping,etc... I hope it remains peaceful and I'm glad I dont need to go into any cities that day.
It will stay peaceful- the other recent ralliez by his possé were hugely peaceful. I just wish there was one in Philly! If you're a Latino and really need to feel insulted, go to FreeRepublic.com and check out what the bloggerz there have to say about the march.

If you're a Latino and really need to feel insulted, go to FreeRepublic.com and check out what the bloggerz there have to say about the march.

I think I will be offended by what that lot say on the subject, whatever my ethnicity.

Yes, we should. Our Constitution is written in English and governmental duties in our capital are carried out in English, so it should be English.

Unfortunately, we've let this go on for too long, so it's far too late to institute a national language. The "genie's out of the bottle," as my father says whenever we discuss this.

Spanish should not be made official.

too late. it already is. along with french, hawaiian english, hawaiian, samoan, chamorro, carolinian, the various native american languages, and, until relatively recently, german.

I consider the language a gov't does business in as the official language of the country

the 2000 u.s. census used english, spanish, korean, chinese, vietnamese, and tagalog. the DMVs in various states have been increasingly using spanish and other languages. a bunch of different places in the u.s. use two (or even three) languages for conducting official government business and for publishing official documents.